'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎63] (110/905)

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CHAPTER IV.
I'RAN.
General Observations on the Countries between the Rivers Nile and Indus.
Features.—Variety of Climate.—Divisions.—Mount Ararat as the centre of
the Mountains and Rivers—Great ridge of Kurdistan.—Anti-Taurus.—
Taurus.—Southern range of I'rdn.—Northern range.—Minerals.—Water
courses.— Surface.— Deserts.— Aspect. — Four Climates. Vegetation.
Zoology.—Man.— Language.—Religion.—Zoroaster.— bunnies. Shi ahs.
—Mulld.—Heterodox Creeds.— Pagans.—Astrology.—Superstitions.—Sub
divisions of I'rdn.
H aving in tlie preceding Chapters given a general descriptiGn ^tenu,^
of the four principal rivers of Western Asia, as well as of the between the^
circumjacent territory, it now becomes requisite, consistently N, ean
with the plan of this part of the work, briefly to notice all
the countries in that part of the world which have been
connected together geographically and historically; in conse
quence of having been at one period subject to the sway of
the same monarch. The space now to be considered is that
which lies, between the great natural boundaries formed by
the rivers Nile and Indus, and comprehends the dilferent
satrapies which constituted the empire of Darius Hystaspes.
This mighty empire extended from Libya on the west, to
India on the east, or from 30° to 70° E. longitude; and from
Scythia on the north, to the Indian sea on the south, or
from 45° to 25° north latitude. It thus formed an immense
parallelogram, containing nearly 800 square degrees, with
its extremities bordering upon four remarkable seas; the
Black and Caspian being on the north, the Mediterranean on
the west, and the Indian Ocean on the south. From the last
two great branches strike northward along each side of the
extensive peninsula of Arabia: of these, the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.